Sep. 26--A new study shows high level of potentially harmful air pollution in the town of DISH in Denton County.

DISH sits next to several large compressor stations, which process natural gas from the Barnett Shale and pressurize it for shipment across the country. Residents have complained for years about the smell and the noise.

The study, done by Wolf Eagle Environmental and paid for by the Town Council, found high levels of 15 chemicals, including benzene, xylene, naphthalene and carbon disulfide at five of seven test sites. In some cases the levels were 10 times the recommended level for short-term exposure, and some levels were high enough to be an immediate danger, according to the study. It said, however, that the results were only a one-time snapshot.

Mayor Calvin Tillman, who has been fighting the pipeline companies for about a year, said the study proves that state regulators need to take action.

"I don't believe this was a one-day event," he said. And even if it was, "you still broke some thresholds for short-term exposure to these chemicals."

Terry Clawson, a spokesman for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, said the agency was already planning testing for airborne toxins in Denton County.

The companies that run the compressor stations, including Atmos Energy, Chesapeake Energy, Enbridge, Energy Transfer Partners and Crosstex Energy, paid for a study in DISH this year that concluded that gas levels in the air weren't high enough to be dangerous.

However, that study didn't check for toxic chemicals, said Scott McLAren of Apogee Scientific, who conducted the survey.

"We were only looking for leaks in natural gas pipelines," he said.

Still, two of the companies referred to the previous study when asked about the latest study.

"We believe we've taken ample steps to communicate the details of our investigation to the mayor and will continue to monitor our operations in the area," said Jill McMillan of Crosstex Energy.

Justin Bond of Chesapeake Energy said, "The last time several operators spoke with Mayor Tillman and presented this information, he complimented our efforts."

He complimented our efforts."

Justin Bond of Chesapeake Energy, referring to the mayor's reaction to a previous study

MIKE LEE, 817-390-7539

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